GWS-4P antenna length?

[pohlmeyr]

I have recently bought the GWS-4P reciever and have heard that you can make the antenna longer to about 39" from the 19" the way it came. is this true? and how would you do it? just add a piece of wire at the end or what

thanks

[mike nill]

why would you want to make the antenna longer? It seems every one is always trying to figure out ways to make it shorter.unless ur using it for larger aircraf for longer distence and if so then i would us a better rx. :confused: just wondering

[pohlmeyr]

not really wanting to make it longer just wondering why some of the earlier rx came with a longer antenna/ i heard you can get up to a 1000ft with the 39" anenna

[HouseFLY]

Antenna longer or shorter, read the "GWS Receiver Caution!"

posted here:
http://www.rcmicroflight.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=5&t=000090


Perhaps GWS can use a bead of the rubbery yellow caulk they use on their Carbon Brush Grey End Bell Motors, just to ensure the antenna wire insulation stays fixed on the printed boards and prevents possible shorts with other metal contacts that can cause some serious glitching.

Mario

[ 09-06-2001: Message edited by: Mario I. Arguello ]

[jimwalker]

Mine came with the 19" antenna and was unusable due to non existant range. The reciever came with a small note stating that increasing it's length would increase it's range from 500' to 1000'. I changed out the stock antenna for a Futaba antenna and trimmed it to 39". The range is fine now.

Pohlymer,

You can extend your antenna with whatever you want. Just solder on a piece of wire and insulate the solder joint with heat shrink tubing. Trim to length and you're ready to go. The only limits are weight. The indoor guys use 34ga wire from Radio Shack. Stranded wire is better for antennas than solid wire because it won't break from metal fatigue with all the bending antennas get....

Jim

[Blackhawk]

I have several of these recievers, although I think all have the 39in antenna. What I do is cut the antenna off about 1-2in out from the reicever and replace it with some of the real fine (gauge 34 or 38) wire from John Worth at Cloud 9. Solder it together to get the 39 inch length and cover the solder joint with a short piece of heat shrink tube. This saves about 2 grams in weight. I am about ready to try a base loaded antenna that may be the ideal solution to the long antennae.

Pat

[Ralph B]

I guess I will chime in here with my antenna preference. I remove the stock antenna then solder a short"header" piece of small stranded wire (I like the stuff on the JST extentions from David Lewis) about 4 inches long. Next I cut a piece of 1/64 plywood about 1/4 inch wide and 6 inches long. Then I make up a magnet wire(#41) the length of the stock antenna minus the 4 inches, or whatever the length of the header piece was. Wrap the magnet wire around the plywood so that the coils are spaced about 1/16 inch apart(don't overlap or let the coils touch). Start the wrap so that a short length of the magnet wire ( 1/2 to 1 inch) runs lengthwise on the plywood near the first end. The header wire will be soldered to the magnet wire here. Capture the magnet wire with a small piece of masking tape. Wrap the magnet wire down the rest of the plywood stick and tape the other end down. Trim away any excess plywood and apply 2 coats of clear dope. The dope really ***** the magnet wire down to the stick. After doping remove the tape from the ends and dope them. The header can now be soldered to the magnet wire(after striping the end). I use a small piece of shrink sleeving on this joint then strain relieve the solder joint by bonding the sleeve to the stick and adding a second larger shrink sleeve(about 3/8" long) over the end of the stick capturing the first sleeve. What you end up with is a short flexible length of wire with a short stick that can be sliped down the aft end of the fusalage. On the GWS RX the 39" antenna stick will be about 6 or 7 inches long. I made this type antenna for my half scale Moogallo that I flew at the SWAC show (19" wire on 3.5" stick) and had no problems with glitching or interference. I have also used this antenna on the 70% Guided Mite posted here. The Mite used a full length antenna on a stick that was cut to the maximum length that would fit down the tail of the fusalage. Again, I have not had any range or interference issues, including a flight with 14 or 16 other models in the "all up last down" event at last years DEAF fly-in. I don't know what the range limits are with this set up. I do know that it is greater than my 54 year old eyes can see a 14 inch wing span!
Ralph B